So what should be in a portfolio?

A process chronological thematic portfolio is a complete, illustrated report an all activities and the entire learning experience during the Public Management Practice period. It is chronological record on a specific theme which in this case is your Work Integrated Learning experience. The emphasis is on keeping evidence of the work done. The importance of the Portfolio lies in the fact that all learning should be assessed and the Portfolio is the most important document for assessment purposes. It must be a complete and formal report on the entire learning experience. No specific length or format is prescribed, but in view of the fact that you report on 3 months’ of Public Management Practice, it should at least consist of 20 pages.

Some guidelines:

Cover page


Full name and student number
ND: Public Management
PUQ301T/R
Portfolio of Evidence on Public Management Practice done at……(name of organization)
May 2009


-Index page –topics and page numbers (section dividers might be useful)
-Introduction-short paragraph on your career choice, expectations from Public Management Practice, the experience itself.
-A declaration that it is your own work.
-Introducing yourself-CV-goals in life and career objectives instead of references
-A detailed description of the company/firm/department/organization”
-The history, vision, mission, core business, objectives, strategies, organigram (where you fitted in)
-A detailed report on all your key performance area/responsibilities/activities-clearly indicating the knowledge, skills and competencies you have acquired. This can be based on the nature of the work or per department chronologically or per learning area. You should almost do it as if you are telling someone in great detail what you have been doing, but in a more structured and formal way than a casual chat.
-Evidence/examples of work you have done as attachments. Also show proof of linkages that you have made to resources that are not part of your studies.
-All items that you include in your portfolio must demonstrate how it contributed to your learning and how it demonstrates your intellectual growth and development.
-Conclusion. This may include constructive criticism of the organization/management, but highlighting learning experiences. Conclude on a positive note!
-It must be properly bound
-It must be neatly typed:
¨ 1,5 spacing
¨ No underlining
¨ Captions bold
¨ Formal language
¨ Proper sentences, grammar and correct spelling
¨ No forum for personal grievances

-It should be well demonstrated
-It must be complete
-The focus is on learning areas/outcomes of the course
-It is a personal document for creativity

You will be required to reflect on your learning and there are various models available. For this module, the ORID model will be followed (Bender, Daniels, Lazarus, Naude and Sattar (2006:70). The following will be required:

-Objective: Activities will relate to the concrete experience.
Questions to be reflected on would be:
Ø “What did you as a student observe, hear, read and do while you were at the place of work?”
Ø “What transpired as a result of you being at the place of work?”
Ø “Did you gather evidence of your time spent at the place of work?”

-Reflective: Activities will relate to the affective experience.
Questions to be reflected on would be:
Ø ‘How did you experience work integrated learning?”
Ø “Are you feeling more confident now?”
Ø “Are you feeling more successful and knowledgeable?”

-Interpretive: Activities will relate to the cognitive experience.
Questions to be reflected on would be:
Ø “What did the experience make you think of?”
Ø “How did the experience influence your thinking on the public/private/non-profit sector?”
Ø “What did you learn from your experience?”

-Decisional: Activities will relate to students incorporating their experiences into a new paradigm. It is hoped that students will have a better understanding of the world of work and how they perceive things.
Questions to be reflected on would be:
Ø “How did the experience influence your thinking on your future or current career prospects?”
Ø “What will you do differently if you had another opportunity?”
Ø “What are your current opinions on the place of work?”
Ø “How would you utilise what you have learned in your current/future career?”
Ø “Have any of your past experiences influenced the ways in which you made decisions?”

You can utilise the above questions to guide you when you are preparing the portfolio. You are also most welcome to use these questions for our myUNISA discussions.